Van
Persie’s importance to his country was illustrated by the way their
attack became blunted in the second half, although his replacement
Jeremain Lens did score a tap-in with 14 minutes to go to make the final
score 2-0.

Arjen Robben had scored the opener in the first half by converting a rebound from a Van Persie shot.

Wales
manager Chris Coleman will be warmed by the way his team, without
Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams, tested the hosts at times
and could have given their travelling something to cheer had a couple
of openings been finished more accurately.

Much
was made in the build-up to this game of Van Gaal’s decision to switch
to a 5-3-2 system from Holland’s usual 4-3-3. He trialled it in their
previous friendly against Ghana last Saturday prompting Bert van
Marwijk, the man who led his nation to the World Cup final four years
ago, to question the wisdom of changing tactics so close to the
tournament starting.

There
might be more sniping to come given Van Gaal sprung a surprise by opting
for a 4-4-2 diamond formation here. More strings to the Oranje bow or
too much tinkering?

Wesley
Sneijder operated at the front of a midfield four behind Van Persie and
Robben and with that trio on song, as was the case from kick-off, their
positioning shouldn’t matter.

Say cheese: Louis van Gaal is grabbed for a selfie with a Holland fan before the game

Time's up: Holland captain Robin van Persie was taken off at half-time

Assist: Van Persie's first-half shot was parried into the path of Robben who opened the scoring

Within
two minutes Daryl Janmaat dispossessed Neil Taylor and fed Robben who
lashed over, then 60 seconds later Van Persie fashioned space and forced
Wayne Hennessey into a good save.

In
the ninth minute Robben fooled debutant James Chester with a run in
behind to break the offside trap and when Stefan de Vrij’s lofted ball
found him a goal looked certain. But the Bayern Munich player dragged
his shot wide.

It was
whirlwind stuff yet this Welsh side, even shorn of its stars, can play a
bit and gradually the visitors found a foothold in the game.

Joe
Allen, captaining his country for the first time, was breaking forward
with the ball and executing sharp passes. Jonny Williams began finding
joy on the right hand side.

Then
in the 20th minute Taylor released striker Simon Church down the left
flank and his cross would have led to a tap-in for Andy King had Bruno
Martins Indi not stretched to nick clear. It was a spell that will
encourage Coleman for forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Van
Gaal’s team came again though. Robben played a one-two with Sneijder
then jinked past Danny Gabbidon only to continue tip-toeing too long so
when he fired his shot Chester was able to clear off the line.

In
the 32nd minute he did not wait to pull the trigger. Van Persie beat
Chris Gunter on the left and cracked a shot that Hennessey could only
divert into the path of Robben who struck instantly.

Van
Persie could have made it two soon after but he sliced his effort just
wide after being teed up by Daley Blind. It was to be the last act in
his game, replaced at half-time by Lens with cameras picking up a wince
that will make Dutch fans do just the same.

The
Dynamo Kiev forward did add gloss to Holland’s win by slotting in at
the far post after a perfect cross from Robben, released by Sneijder,
but it is clear any absence of Van Persie will cast a huge shadow.

Bum note: Wales player Hal Robson-Kanu changes his shorts at pitchside during the game

Support: Kevin Strootman, who will miss the World Cup through injury, was in the crowd to cheer Holland on

Have a word: Van Gaal talks to his assistant Patrick Kluivert ahead of kick-off

Stellar: Holland named a strong side including Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder and De Jong

Man of the people: Star man Robben gives the match ball to a Dutch fan at the end of the game

Orange: Dutch fans turned out in support of Van Gaal's team before they depart for Brazil